Michael Smith Newstag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1070148381100336752015-08-03T07:22:46+10:00Maureen's son, and lapsed radio broadcaster's views.TypePadThis is what happened last time John Conde headed up a review of politicians and their "entitlements"tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01b7c7b90a2a970b2015-08-03T07:22:46+10:002015-08-03T07:22:46+10:00Remember this? Pollies awarded substantial pay rise By Jeremy Thompson, staff Updated 15 Dec 2011, 4:40pm PHOTO: Julia Gillard's salary will rise to $481,000, up from $367,000, giving her more pay than Barack Obama or David Cameron. (Alan Porritt: AAP) Federal backbenchers are set for a hefty $45,000 pay rise,...Michael SmithMy view on parliamentary expenses and "entitlements"tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01b8d142b505970c2015-08-03T06:56:18+10:002015-08-03T06:56:18+10:00I wrote this on 6 October 2013 and I haven't changed my view since: It strikes me that the current system for self-approval is creating unnecessary question marks about the integrity of the process, extensive staff administration time and doubts about the motivations of some Members and Senators. In the...Michael SmithBronwyn Bishop resigns as Speakertag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01bb085ccaae970d2015-08-02T16:49:29+10:002015-08-02T16:50:57+10:00The Australian with the news Bronwyn Bishop: Speaker resigns, PM launches review of entitlements Bronwyn Bishop has resign as Speaker this afternoon ending weeks of turmoil over damaging revelations about her use of parliamentary entitlements. At a press conference in Sydney this afternoon, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that Mrs...Michael SmithA Melbourne concert you'll likely remember for lifetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01bb085c2637970d2015-08-01T14:32:16+10:002015-08-01T14:32:16+10:00Wow! The Dean brothers would make this event special by themselves - read Des Moore's note today and you'll get some sense of how special this evening promises to be. Dear All My daughter and concert pianist Lisa Moore is performing in a trio recital called "Tales and Tributes" on...Michael SmithAndrew Robb walks away from the TPP trade talkstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01bb085c2005970d2015-08-01T12:28:23+10:002015-08-01T12:28:23+10:00Good on him. This just in - from The Australian Australia will not sign up to the trans-Pacific partnership trade deal in the current round of talks. A spokesman for Trade Minister Andrew Robb confirmed that a conclusion will not be reached on the $200 billion deal during the latest...Michael SmithBarristers in our adversarial legal systemtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01b8d1414ea0970c2015-07-31T16:07:51+10:002015-07-31T16:07:51+10:00This is an immensely moving and difficult story to read - it's also brilliantly researched and written by Natasha Wallace. It involves a barrister you'll recognise and I know many of us have written glowingly of the barrister's performances at the TURC. Barristers are paid advocates who should adopt the...Michael SmithOnly morning off for the next few weekstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01b7c7b78caa970b2015-07-31T10:16:01+10:002015-07-31T10:16:01+10:00A beautiful day in Sydney - I'm going to get a few things done this morning offline, may be the only chance for the next month given the Commission's schedule. Speak later on today. MichaelMichael SmithAt 2PM The Commission resumed its hearing in Canberratag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01b8d13ff07e970c2015-07-30T14:09:33+10:002015-07-30T14:38:29+10:00The first witness is Donald Thomson - a director of Trojan Scaffolding. Mr Thompson has made a witness statement, he's adopted it and it's been tendered in evidence. Mr Thompson attended the now notorious meetings of scaffolders with the CFMEU preparatory to a CFMEU EBA in 2013. He states "there...Michael SmithCFME National Office financial snapshot - last year's financial reports now overduetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01b8d13ff06c970c2015-07-30T14:08:23+10:002015-07-30T14:08:23+10:00Here is a link to the latest financial report filed with the Fair Work Commission by Michael O'Connor's CFMEU national head office - for the year ending 31 December 2013 By now the year ending 31 December 2014 is way overdue. The Commission criticised Mr O'Connor for the tardy 2013...Michael Smith4 solid weeks of Royal Commission CFMEU hearings scheduled for Augusttag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01b7c7b67f66970b2015-07-30T13:54:02+10:002015-07-30T13:54:02+10:00Monthly Schedule Please note, this schedule may change at short notice. ​August​Hearing description​Location Tuesday 4 – Friday 7 Public hearing: CFMEU Sydney Monday 10–Friday 14 Public hearing: CFMEU Sydney Monday 17–Friday 21 Public hearing: CFMEU Sydney Monday 24–Tuesday 25 Public hearing: CFMEU SydneyMichael SmithDave Noonan says Australia is on the path to a tinpot dictatorship if Lomax is convictedtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01bb085a76db970d2015-07-30T13:50:31+10:002015-07-30T13:50:31+10:00Dave Noonan and the CFMEU don't get it. It's not the act of getting a company to sign an EBA that Lomax was charged over - it's the alleged threats and menaces that he's alleged to have made as coercion to have the business sign up. The Canberra Times has...Michael SmithMore reaction from Iran after their man in Washington did their biddingtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a0177444b0c2e970d01bb085a6e32970d2015-07-30T11:35:12+10:002015-07-30T11:35:12+10:00@JewhadiTM this is after "the deal" pic.twitter.com/G3LpoDnkPz — Israel's Voice (@IsraelsVoice) July 30, 2015Michael Smith